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Generic drugs have become increasingly prominent in today’s medical market. At a small fraction of the original cost, you can invest in generic drugs as opposed to brand-name drugs, saving you money and providing medication to your loved ones. Usually, generic drugs are simply alternative medications to a brand-name version, and they possess the same strength, effectiveness, quality, and safety as brand-name versions. Pharmacies carry both the generic and the brand-name versions of medicine, so talk to your doctor and see what’s best for you.

Very minimal differences exist between brand-name and generic drugs. The best benefit and first difference between the two is the huge cost difference. Many families have a hard time paying for medications they need, especially if a loved one suffers from a chronic disease. The huge price difference between generic and brand-name drugs has been a huge relief for these families. For $9 I get my three month supply of medicine, as opposed to a much higher cost. Being able to buy more affordable versions of prescription drugs has provided families with medications they need, however, a generic form may not be available for some brand-name medications yet. Once a brand-name drug has fulfilled it’s allotted patent time, a generic is able to be manufactured.

Many attribute the lower price of generics to a lower quality. This couldn’t be more wrong. Besides the cost, generics have minimal differences that very rarely affect the taker. The only differences reside in shape and color, which may minimally alter the release time and taste of your medicine, but they do not alter the effectiveness or strength of your medication. The only reason generic drugs are cheaper is because the research and advertising costs have already been paid for by the name-brand, allowing the generic to not have to spend money on advertising or marketing. Generic drugs are required by law to have the same chemical formula and the same active ingredients, but if you have side effects that you attribute to the generic form of your medication, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.

If you have insurance that covers your prescription costs, brand-name drugs may actually turn out to be cheaper than the generic version. Health insurance companies negotiate on behalf of their insured customers in order gain more favorable prices for them. You can see which medicines would be cheaper for you by contacting your insurance company. However, what is most important is talking to your doctor about which drug, the generic or name-brand, is best for you. If there is no difference, you can go ahead and talk to your insurance company to see which may be cheaper and make your decision from there.

It seems that $4 Generic have been a blessing for many people who have been struggling to afford their medications. With more on the market than ever before, generic medication has proved to be a great alternative to the name-brand. With the exact same effects as their brand-name counterparts, Generic Drugs can provide you and your family the medicine they need at much lower prices. Do a little research online and see if the medicine you take has a generic alternative. Then talk to your doctor and see if switching is a good idea for you.